Stamp-affixing machine.



L. ONDERDONK.

SIAMP AFFIXING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 5.19m.

Patented Dec. 31, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I hum/70R Elm ' mom/Er.

L. ONDER-DONK.

STAMP AFFIXING MACHINE. APPLICATION man mus, m'o.

Patented Dec. 31,1918.

ATTORNEY L. ONDERDONK. STAMP-AFFIXING MACHIN'E. APPLICATION FILED mus. 1910 Patented Dec. 31, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEEI 3.

mug/war? WITNESSES we a LANSING ONDERDONK, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

STAMP-AFFIXI NG IIACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 31', 1918.

' application'iiledwl'uly 5, 1910. Serial 'No. 570,234.

borough of Manhattan, city, county, and- State .of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Stamp-Aifixmg Machines, of which the following is a descript-ion.

This invention relates to machines which may be used for either vending articles of a predetermined character and size, or for delivering stamps or similar articles and affixing them to a iven surface. Particularly my invention re ates to, and isillustrated in connection with, a stamp-afiixing machine; but, certain features or devices or mechanisms may be used without others, thus rendering the machine capable of use for various purposes.

Among the objects of my invention may be noted the following: to provide a machine b which articles can be delivered successlvely and only one at a time, irrespective of adjustments for the size of the article; to

provide a feeding mechanism which will de-- liver but one article during a complete oper ation of the machine and which cannot be made to again deliver an article until the actuating mechanism has been restored to initial position preparatory for another functional operation; to provide a stamp-aflixing machine wherein the liquid-delivering mechanism is arranged remote from the stamps orthe adhesive surface thereof; to provide a machine of the character stated so constructed as to provide the largest possible liquid reservoir in the smallest possible space, and so constructed asto enable the reservoir tobereadily refilled, and so as to be entirely independent of the feeding and delivering mechanism for the stamp; to provide means by which the water to be delivered to the stamp can be measured so as to avoid waste and prevent an excess of moisture being imparted to the stamp; to provide a feeding mechanism, for the strip or web of stamps, capable of being so regulated as to deliver the stamps accurately and uniformly one-by-one to the cutting mechanism to provide a feeding mechanism which can be regulated or adjusted to a nicety for the purpose of accurately delivering. the stamps, or similar articles, consecutively, or so as to uniformlydeliver the same size or strip, irrespective of its character; to provide means by which the cutting mechanism is compelled to perform its functions accurately in consonance with the feeding mechanism, whereby a given length of the strip or article is uniformly fed, out and delivered for each complete cycle of movements of the machine; to provide means whereby, irrespective of the quantity of water in the reservoir, the same amount will be measured and delivered for each operation of the machine; to provide a single locking means for holding the reservoir and stamp-receptacle closed; to

provide means whereby, for each movement of reciprocation of the plunger, the feeding mechanism will be caused to operate and which requires a complete reciprocation of the plunger to feed a single-stamp from the machine; to provide means by whlch, after a stamp has been completely fed and delivered, no further delivery of stamps can be obtained; to provide means whereby the movements of the feed-drum or wheel can be regulated without altering the relation and cooperative action of the drum-actuating mechanism; and to provide certain novel details of construction for spraying the stamps or article in contradistinction to moistening the same by a means in contact with the latter, as well as other details of construction which tend to simplify the mai which will be detailed during the course of this description, my invention consists in the parts, features, elements and combinations of elements and mechanisms, all as hereinafter described and claimed.

In order that my invention may be clearly understood, Ihaveprovided drawings wherein Figure 1 is a central, vertical section taken from front to rear of the machine and showing important details ofmy invention;

ig. 2 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line 22 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the faceplate and of a portion of the stripper-plate; Fig. 4.- is an elevation showing details of the feed-adjusting means, the two parts being separated and shown in position ready for assembling; v

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal, centralv section through the feed-adjusting means, parts being brokenaway, and showing a portion only of the feed-drum;

Fi 6 is a detail view showing the lockingevice by which the reservoir is held in Fig. 9- shows one form of a liquid-measuring device, or valve constructlon, contemplated by my invention;

Fig. 10 is an end elevation of the valve of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of another form of water-measuring device or valve contemplated by my lnventlon;

Fig. 12 IS a perspectlve view of the reservoir and certain parts carried thereby;

Fig. 13' is a section substantiallyon the line 13-13 of Fig. 8, showing the structure of the air-valve; 1 Fig. '14 is a detail sectional view of part of the mechanism shown in Fig. 13; I

Fig. 15 is a side elevation of the device opposite that of Fig. 8, showing the means for actuating the water-measurer or valve, certain of the feed-gears being shown in dotted lines;

Fig. 16 is a plan of the cutter-head, parts being broken away to show the details of construction; v

Fig. 17 is a bottom plan view of the machine forward of the reservoir, showing the mode of securing the face-plate in the machine;

Fig. 18 is a section substantiall on the line 18-18 of Fig. 15, the parts a ove the bell-crank being omitted;

Fig. 19 is an elevation of a part of the feed-actuating gears, showing details of the latter; and

Fig. 20 is a holder.

Primarily, I desire it understood that cer tain of the features of my invention are not restricted to use in a stamp-affixing ma chine, but may be'employed in, or constitute, a vending machine, such parts being the cutter and feed; and though the moistening mechanism may be a part of the machine at all times, the latter can be converted into a vending machine by simply putting the mois: tening mechanism but of operation. Or, the moistening mechanism may be omitted, thus making a vending machine. Hence, the convertibility of the machine is an impor tant feature of my invention, and though I have chosen to show my invention in a stamp-ailixing machine, I do not purpose being limited thereto, as my machine is adapted to feedstrips of material of various kinds perspective view of the reel uses.

meager and sever therefrom sections of various sizes, according to ad ustments, capable of various stamp, employed herein, shall not be a word of limitation, but shall be comprehensive of any small piece or strip of material, whether gummed ornot, or which can be rendered adhesive by the application of moisture or an adhesive substance.

Referring to the drawings, the frame is made in two parts indicated by 1 and 2, held together by a screw 3 at the front and top of the machine andat the rear of the machine by the screw a, passing through verticallyextending ears 5," said screw forming the hinge for the cover 6 of the stamp-receptacle, said cover. having a lug 7 extending between the two ears 5, through which the screw 4 passes. Though I have shown screws for holding the several parts together as described, andother parts as hereinafter described, 1 preferably use rivets as, in so doing, a machine is produced which cannot be taken apart nor tampered with in any way so as to obtain the stamps or destroy the record of delivery thereof; that is to say, I

or with the feeding mechanism so that every article delivered or stamp aflixed will be recorded or counted and a permanent record made thereof. 1 have not shown such device in this case as' it forms the subjectm'atter of another application now under preparation. Hence, the use of rivets to, permanently fix the parts together becomes important in that it produces a structure which cannot be cheated, nor stolen from. The stamp-receptacle is or may be circular in form and one-half thereof is formed in the cover 6 and the other half 8 is formed in the frame of the machine, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 8. The rear end of the cover is provided with a catch 9, which cooperates with a latch 10, formed on the upper end at the rear of the reservoir 11. The cover-is provided with recesses 12, at its opposite sides, corresponding to recesses 13 in the frame for the reception of the oppositely-extending journal-pins 14, see Figs. 8

and 20, of the reel-holder, which consists of two like members, each of which is'provided with a support 15 at the upper end of an arm 16, the lower end of which is bent at a right-angle, as shown at 17, and provided with wings '18, which embrace the portion 17 of the corresponding member. The pins 14 journal in the bearings afi'orded by the recesses 12 and 13 in the frame and cover, respectively, see Fig. 8,-and thus support the reel or web 19 in proper position in the machine. be drawn apart to enable the supports 15 to be separated for the admission and removal of the reel of stamps, the lateral adjustment Therefore, I purpose that the termpurpose combining with my machine a counting or registering device operated by The arms 16 are resilient and can mental-rack 39. The valve 35 is provided as clearly shown in 13. The journal- 23 of the reservoir is en ged atone end to provide a chamber within which is set a valve 24, in the form of a hollow cylinder provided with an aperture 25, communicating with a tube 26, extending from top to bottom of the reservoir 11, said tube com-.

municating at its forward end with. the measuring-device, as will be presently described. The valve 24 is also provided with a smaller aperture 27, which communicates with a passage 28, extending through the top portion of the reservoir-frame and into the said reservoir. A tube 29 extends along the outside of the frame, as shown in Figs. 8

and 13, and communicates with a passage'30 in the frame, said passage entering a chamber 31, formed in said frame adJacent the valve 24. By this means, the air-tube 29 communicates with the valve 24 to supply air to both the reservoir and the measuring-device, as presently described. The

valve 24 may be opened or closed by means.

of a finger-piece 32, operating between shoulders 33' of the reservoir-frame, and by manipulating which valve itsapertures can be thrown into and out of registry with the aperture in the frame of the reservoir and the tube 26, respectively, as shown; in Figs. 13 and 14. At its lower forward end, the reservoir is provided with a chamber 34, ex-

7 tending transversely thereof, in which isset to rotate the cylindrical valve or measuringdevice 35, one end of which is screw-threaded into the chamber 34,,as indicated at 36,- and the other end of which is provided with the doublemutilated-gear 37, cooperating with a bell-crank lever fulcrumed at 38 to the frame of the machine, see Figs. 11 and 15. The gear 37 has its teeth meshing with the segmental-rack 39, on one arm of the lever. The rack 39 has peripheral and. lateral teeth, which cooperate with the double gear 37, as shown in Fig. 15. The other arm of the bell-crank lever is provided at its outer end with an elongated slot 40, whereby said directions by the stop-lugs 41, carried by one portion of the gear 37, as clearly shown in Fig. 15, said lugscoiiperating with the flat portions at opposite ends of the segwith the large aperture 42, in one side, and,

about a. uarter-turn therefrom and a little to one si e thereof, with a smaller aperture 43. The end of the valve 35 is provided with a screw-plug 44, by means of which,

the valve-chamber can be madev larger or smaller, as desired, said plug being set well within the end of thecylinder of the valve so that extreme adjustment outwardly will not interfere with the longitudinal movement of the valve. The bell-crank lever, when actuated, rocks the valve 35, resulting in giving thereto oscillatory motion and longitudinal reciprocation within the chamber 34, the result of which is to causethe large aperture 42 to cooperate with a passage 45, extending into the said chamber 34, and with a spraying-device 46; also to cause the smaller aperture 43 to coiiperate with the tube 26, as clearly shown in Figs. 1, 8, and 12. "Referring t Figs. 1 and 13, it will be seen that the passage 45 extends into the reservoir as. near the bottom as is practicable without weakening the bottom of the structure. This enables. practically all the water to be delivered to the valve. It will also be seen that it requires but a quarter turn of the valve to take in the water and deliver it to the spraying-nozzle and that the .compound movement f the valve results in quickly opening and closing .the several ports with comparatively little movement of the valve. The spraying-device 46 consists of anozzle provided with a plurality of small apertures 47, through which the water in the reservoir 11 .is sprayed after being received in measured quantity in the valve. 35. The a erture 43 also communicates with the tu 26, through the wall of the reservoir, and thus air is admitted through 'said'tu'be into the said'valve to force the water 1 received by the latter through the spraying-nozzle 46. The apertures 47, in nozzle 46, are directed upwardly at anglessuch that, asthe stamp is fed out preparatory to being cut off, the spray will be directed toward the center of the stamp, thus completely moistening its.

surface. This is an important feature; but, it should be understood that, though I'have it is not necessary that the device shall operate to so spray said stamp, as a small quantity of fluid sprayed upon the center, or substantially the center of the stamp, w1ll be uniformly spread over the surface thereof when pressure is applied thereto for aflixing itto a given surface. The reservoir at its rear is provided with the transparent wall of mica, glass, or other suitable material, indicated by 48 and set therein-in any approved manner to prevent leaking; and the bottom of the reservoir may consist of a separate plate 49, dove-tailed at its forward end into the bottom of the reservoir the inlet 51. The reservoir 11 is locked in.

operative position by a latch 53, fixed to a stud 54, capable of turning in the bottom of the reservoir 11, see Figs. 2, 9, 12 and 13. The latch slides horizontally from the res ervoir into a recess 55 in the frame-part 2,

see dotted lines, Fig. 8, when the parts are in the position of Figs. 1 and 2; and maybe unlocked by inserting the key 56 in the head 57 of the stud 54 and turning the latter into position as shown in Fig. 2.

The tube 29, leading to the valve 24, communicates with the passage 58, extending vertically through the semi-cylindrical,- screw-threaded portion 59 of the-wall 2 of the frame, said semi-cylindrical portion and its corresponding portion 60 of the frameportion 1 forming the bearing for the reciprocatory plunger 61, the parts-being held together by means of the cylinder 62, internally screw-threaded at its lower end to co- 0 erate with the screw-threaded frame-portions 59 and 60. At its upper end, the plunger 61 has a screw-threaded extension 63, entering the head 64 of the sleeve 65, the lower end of which is screw-threaded and shouldered for coiiperation with a closuresleeve 66, correspondingly formed to engage therewith, packing 67 being placed between the parts to form an air-tight joint and make the chamber within-tho cylinder 62 and sleeve, 65 air-tight,- thus producing a compression-chamber for the air employed to spray the fluid upon the stamp. Thehead 64 and the plunger 61 are sustained normally in elevated position by means ofa coiledspring 68, surrounding the plunger 61 with in the casing formed by the cylinder 62 and sleeve 65, said spring resting at one end u on the parts 5960 of the casing and at the ot or end engaging the flange 69- of the plunger. The head 64 is provided with one or more air-inlet passages 7 0, communicating with the interior of the parts'626.5, but periodically opened and closed by means of a ringvalve 71, with suflicient' clearance between the latter and the bottom wall'of the head 64 to plunger is depressed, the valve-ring 71 is.

forced by the compressed air within the chamber into tight engagement with the bot-.

tom of head 64, thus closing the air-passagesand permitting I the air to be forced through the several passages and valves to assess? .thenspraying device. This construction is important s1nce it is compact, strong and simple and combines several important functional devices in a small space, such as the compression mechanism, the spring 68, and keeps dust and grit from the operatmg parts and prevents interference wlth the latter. Being thus housed and arranged, the arts are not liable to get out of order and W1 1 always perform their functions properly. The plunger, near its lower end, is provided with a rack 72, and on its oppositeside with a longitudinal roove 73, extending to near its upper end, t e function of which will be I presently explained.

The vplunger 61, at its extreme lower end, is provided with a cutter-holder and stamppresser 74, secured thereto in any suitable.

'manner, but shown as held thereto by a screw-threaded connection 75 and a lockingscrew 76, passing through the said head and into the lower end of the plunger, as clearly shown in Figs. 1, 16 and 17. The member 74, as shown in Fig. 18, has two oppositely-' extending pins, one of which 77 is short and extends into a groove 78, shown in Figs..17

and 18, and by dotted lines in Fig. 8, and

formed in the inner surface ofthe frameportion 2 and the other of which 79 is long and extends through the slot 80 in the frameportion 1 and enters the slot 40 in the long arm of the bell-crank lever so as to actuate the latter. The holder 74 is recessed laterally, as at 81, see Figs. 1 and 16, for the reception of the cutter-blade 82, which is provided with the wedge-shaped, angular cut- Fig. 3, and which is secured to the opposite frame-portions 1 and 2, in any suitable manner, as by screws 87 passing through the apertures 88,- see Fig. 17, thus holding the face-plate firmly in position for coiiperation with the cutter-blade, this connection also aiding in holding the frame-parts together. The face-plate is provided with an inclined slot 89, the lower edge of which is beveled for the purpose of producing a ledger-blade 90, for cotiperation with the cutting-edge 83 of the cutter-blade, and the inclination of the slot 89 is for the purpose of enabling a shearing action to take place in the cutting operation, thus facilitating severing the stamps from the strip or web 19. The springs 85, obviously, constantly tend to press the cutting-edge 83 of the blade against the face-plate so as to keep the same constantly incotiperative relation with the latter. The slot 89 provides for the passage 1 of the stamps so as to present the same properly to the cutting and moistening mechawith a recess 91, into which projects the nozzle 46 and through which the spraying takes place. It should be noted particularly, at this point, that the delivery of the articles from the web takes place at a point remote from the moistening-device and that the said articles or web are never in contact with the moiste'ning device, do not wipe over the same, as is common, but are always fed and delivered at a distance from the mo'isteningdevice so that there is no possibility of the adhesive surface of the strips or articles becoming moistened except at the time and just to the extent desired and necessary for alfixing the severed articles to the'predetermined surface. This is one of the important features of my invention and upon it I desire to lay great stress.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 12, thereservoir 11 has secured to its upper surface the stamp or strip guide 92, screws 93 bemg shown for securing the same in position, and the strip-guide'being made to conform substantially to the shape of the upper surface of the reservoir and at its lower end curved, as at 94, to conform to the feedwheel-presently described. In the curved portion 94 are arranged parallel slots 95, through which project the pins of the feedwheel, and the forward end of said curved portion 94 is at rest upon the forwardend of the reservoir above the valve 35 and within a groove 96 formed in said surface,to prevent said strip-guide from bemg laterally displaced. At its forward end, the strip-guide coiiperates with the stripperplate 97, extending across, and secured by means of screws 98 to, the face-plate 86, said stripper-plate being angular in form and being located so that its lower surface will be just above the slot 89 in said face-plate 86. The horizontal portion of the stripperplate 97 is provided with a series of openend slots 99, registering with the slots 95 in the strip-guide 92, and said horizontal portion is spaced from the curved portion 94 of said strip-guide sufliciently to permit the free passage of the strip or web 19 between the two. The slotted edge of the stripperplate extends forward under the feed-wheel, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. The two parts 1 and 2 of the frame of the machine are provided with open-end slots which, when said parts are placed together, form a continuous slot 100, through which, as shown in Fig. 1, the web 19 is guided to the feed-wheel and between the latter and the strip guide around to and under the stripper-plate and through the slot 89 in the face-plate. If desired, the slot 100 may be omltted; or, as an alternative mode of threading the machine with the strip or web 19, the latter may be led around the edge 8*, of the receptacle, and over the surface of the strip-guide 92, as shown by dotted lines 8", in Fig. 1. The front-of the machine'isalso provlded with a transparent plate 101, through which can be seen the operation of certain of the parts so as to determine whether the stamps are being properly cut and fed.

The feeding mechanism is also an important feature of my invention and upon its construction and its functional mode of operation I desire to lay considerable stress, as it is important that the stri should be fed uniformly and positively and under mechanical control in such manner that stamps T cannot be drawn out of the machine by hand or-obtained in any way except as is intended by the operation of the plunger. This feeding mechanism, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 4, 5, 8 and 19, consists of the rack 72, carried by the plunger 61, which coiiperates with two separated pinions 102103, arranged one above the other and loose upon the shafts 104105, respectively, journaled in the opposite frame-portions" 1 and 2. The gears 102103 are provided, respectively, with clutch-members 106-107, which coiiperate with corresponding clutch-members 108109, respectively, the one 108 carrying a gear 110, which meshes with a ear 111, carried by the clutch-member 109. he clutch-member and ,gear 108-110 are loose upon the shaft 104 and the clutch-member and gear 109 -111 are loose upon the shaft 105. A spr1ng-112 normally holds the gear 102, with 1ts clutch-member 106 in engagement with the clutch-member 108, and a spring 113 performs a like function with reference to gear 103 and its clutch-member 107 and the clutch-member 109. The gear 114, carried by the shaft'115, is also journaled in the frame-portions 1 and 2, said shaft 115, at 1ts other. end, being provided with a mutilated-gear 116, the character of which is shown in Fig. 19, which in turn meshes with the mutilated-gear 117, carried by the feedshaft 118,"a'lso journaled in the frame-parts 1 and 2 below the shaft 115, see Figs. 1 and 2. The mutilated-gear 116 has less than half its periphery provided with teeth 119, while the gear 117 is provided on its periphery with two sets of teeth 120, of like character, each extending-around less than half of the periphery of the gear, said sets of teeth being separated by curved blank-portions 121, oppositely-disposed on the periphery of the gear 117 and separating the geara disk 125, of smaller diameter than the said of the gear 117 and arranged so that the tooth 126 is at one end of the blank-portions 121, and the tooth 127 is at the opposite end of the opposite blank-portion 121. The disks 123 and 125 are arranged 1n the same vertical plane so that the tooth 124 will engage successively the teeth 126 and 127. This structure of the mutilated-gears and cotiperating teeth and smooth-portions is for the purpose of roduclng an lntermlttent feed of the strip or just the desired distance and at' just the desired time during both the up and down movements-of reciprocation of the plunger 61. The mutilated-gear 116 and its toothed disk 123 are fixed to the shaft 115, while the mutilated-gear 1'17 and its toothed disk 125 have a cone'bearingupon the feed-shaft 118, as shown in details in Fig. 5, and one portion 128 of which is carried by the feed-shaft 118 and enters the corresponding hub 129 of the mutilated-gear 117, said hub being extended laterally from said gear and provided with notches 130, see Fig. 4, in itsperiphery and with a hearing 131 for receiving a ratchet segment 132, projections 133 of which enter the notches 130 so as to enable the ratchet-segment and mutilated-gear to move together. The shaft 118 extends beyond the hub of the mutilatedgear 117 and has fixed thereto the adjusting-pawl 134, carrying a spring-controlled pin 135, at its upper end, said pin being formed wedge-shaped at its outer end, as

, at 136, for cooperating with the teeth of the ratchet-segment 132 so as to hold said segment in adjusted position and in engagement with the said pawl 134. The pawl 134 is also provided with a laterally-extending pin 137 for cooperation with the opposite ends of the segmentalsrack 132, to thus limit the ex-' tent of movement or of rotation of said pawl. The wedge-shaped portion 136 of the pin 135, which coiiperates with the ratchet-teeth of the segment 132, is caused to normally project outwardly by the coiled-spring 138,

- contained in the chamber 139 of the pawl,

which spring surrounds the stem of the pin and engages at one end the head 140 thereof and at the, other end the end of the chamber in said pawl. The detent-pin 135 may be grasped by the knurled-head 141 on the other end of the pin, which is prevented from turning and maintained in operative position by'lugs 142 entering the recesses in the end of the pawl. When the pin 135 of the pawl 134 is drawn out, the Wedge-shaped portion 136 is retracted from the ratchet-teeth and the adjusting-pawl134 can be moved circularly relatively to the segment so as to adjust the feed-shaft carrying the feed-drum. without changing or moving the ratchet-segment and thus w'ithout lated-gears. ments of the feed-drum may have to be made from time to time and the relationvof the mutilated gears must not be disturbed. By making the said gears and the feed-adjusting means independent of each other, this function can be accomplished. The feed-shaft 118 carries an adjusting-sleeve 144, for the feed-drum. said sleeve extending from near the cone-bearing at. one end of they feed-shaft to beyond the opposite-end of the latter, and being supported in the frame-portion 2, as shown in Fig; 2. In this end of the sleeve, a set-screw 145 is threaded,

said screw having a reduced extension 146,

threaded into the hollow end of the feedshaft. The itch of the screw threads of the two portions of the adjusting-screw is difi'erent, so that, for a slight movement or adjustment of the screw, a considerable movement of the adjusting-sleeve 144, on and relatively to the feed-shaft, is obtained. One ormore pins 147, carried by the feedshaft, extend through the sleeve and prevent the latter from turning on said shaft, but permit longitudinal movement of the shaft and sleeve relatively, as just stated. Near its opposite ends, the adjusting-sleeve 144 is provided with circular, beveled flanges 148, the bevel or inclination of the two flanges being in the same direction and the two said beveled flanges cooperating with like circular flanges 149, projecting inwardly from the feed-drum. The feed-drum consists of a barrel provided with longitudinal slots 150, open at one end and closed at the other, the closed ends of the slots alternating with open ends of adjacent slots, thus leaving at opposite ends of the drum connecting-webs 151, for securing the several segmental portions of-the drum together and holding the same in circular form. By thus constructing the drum, the webs or sections 152 are made resilient so as to readily yield or flex. when the wedge-shaped flanges thereof cotiperate with the wedge-shaped flanges of the adjusting-sleeve under the longitudinal adjustments of the latter relatively to the drum. In order to properly sustain the feed-drum and prevent it from having longitudinal movement relatively to the sleeve or the shaft, end-supporting collars 153 are provided, the hub of one of which engages a bearing of the frame-portion 1, and the other of which engages the conebearing 128 of the feed-shaft. Each of the resilient webs 152 is provided with one or more projecting-pins or sharp points 154, extending therefrom, at a right-angle and arranged on the several webs in staggered relation. These pins may be set in the drum by threaded-heads 155, so as to be readily replaced in event any should become broken. The collars 153 are shouldered, as shown the matter of the detail construction, the mode of operation will be readily understood upon referenceto Figs; 1, 2 and 8. The reservoir having been filled and the web or reel of articles having been placed in the receptacle 8, the end.of said web will be threaded through slot 100, or around the frame-part 8, around the rear of the feed-1 drum and under the stripper-plate .97, through the slot 89, in the face-plate 86, the end of the-web being drawn through said slot to the extent of approximately onehalf the length of the stamp, as shown in Fig. 1. The cover 6bein'g closed, the reservoir will then be swung. uponits axis into the closed position of Fig. 1 and the 'latch 53 turned by key 56, thus locking the reservoir. The cover 6 becomes locked when the reservoir is swung into closed position by coiiperation of latch and catch 910 and cannot be opened until the reservoir is again swung to the position of Fig. 8. As the reservoir is swung into closed position, the

' strip-guide 92 forces the web upon the pins 1540f the feed-drum so that said web cannot be moved except by said drum. This mode of locking the cover and reservoir I consider an important feature of my invention, since by the one locking means controlled by a key the stamp-web and reservoir are held in operative position and the stamps are sealed against theft or removal. The manner in which the machine can be opened, as shown in Fig. 8, is an important feature of my invention, since it simplifies the threading of the machine and makes it easy to handle the web and inspect the parts of the machine. The valve 24 is now turned to admit air into the reservoir andinto the tube 26. The machine being now ready for operation, the hand of the operator will be pressed upon the head 64, sons to force the plunger 61 downwardly and thus cause its rack 72 to drive the gears 102 and 103. The clutch-part 106 of the gear 102, on the downward movement of the plunger, will engage the clutch-part 108,- so that the gear 110 will be driven by said clutch. The gear- 103, will also be rotated by the rack of the plunger to cause its clutch member 107 to move away from the clutch-member 109 and thus have no driving action. The gear 110 will drive the gear 111, which, in turn, will drive the gear 114, carried by the shaft 115, so as to drive the mutilated-gear 116. The teeth 119 of this gear being in mesh with one set of the teeth 120, of the gear 117, the latter will be driven, thus actuating the feed-shaft 118, to drive the feed-drum for a predetermined distance, and giving a .before the cutting-device severe the stamp from the web. The complete feed movement is accomplished on the down stroke.

of the plunger 61 and before the cutter comes into operation, and is the result of the cooperation of the mutilated-gears 116 and 117. After this feed movement has been accomplished, the smooth portion 122, of the gear 116', coeperates with one of the smooth portions 121 of the gear 117, thus stopping the feed movement of the feed-drum, the two said smooth portions of, the mutilatedgears sliding relatively to each other and no driving action being accomplished by them. This locked position of'the feed-drum continues until the tooth 124 of the'disk 123 on gear 116 en ages with one of the teeth, for example, 12 of the gear 117, thus driving the latter slightly forward to bring the other set of gear-teeth 120 into engagement with the gear-teeth 119, whereupon another feed-movement of the feed-drum may be accomplished in the same direction. This occurs on the return or up-stroke of the plunger 61, under the influence of the spring 68, after the hand of the operator has been lifted or removed; that is to say, on the upstroke of the plunger, the gears 102 and 103 are driven in the opposite direction, but the gear 103 becomes the feed-driving gear, while the movement of the gear 102 is idle, since the gear 103 is moving in the direction requisite for causing its clutch-member 107- to drive the clutch-member 109, the gear 111 of which will mesh withthe gear 110 and move its clutch-part 108 around to meet the part 106, the gear 111 also meshing with gear '114 to drive it in the same direction for causing the mutilated gears, previously brought into coiiperation, to operate to feed the drum. The direction of these movements is shown by arrows in. Fig. 1. When the gear 103 is performing its idle rotation, it

also slides laterally on the shaft 105 and I compresses the spring 113, this being the re sult of the cooperatlon of the clutch-members 107 and 109' in a contra-functional direction. This is also true of gear 102 when the gear 103 is performing a function. And thetwo gears 102 and 103 are returned to functional position by their respective springs just before the plunger 61 reaches the extreme of its opposite movements, thus one of the clutch-devices being always ready for operation to drive the feed-drum. On

reference to Fig. 2, it will be seen that the two clutch-devices 106-108 and 1O7109 are reversely made, so that only one can perform a-feedingfunction during any given movement of the plunger 61. When one clutch is driving the feed-drum, the partsof the other are turning away from each other, and as soon as a feedlng function has been accomplished by one clutch-device the parts of the other clutch-device I006 crate to lock the gears against another he ing operation in that direction until the plunger has been moved to the'opposite extreme. Hence, when the feed 1s accomplished by one movement of the plunger, further feed by a further movement of the plunger in the same direction is automatically prevented. The travel of the plunger 61, either down or up, is sufficient to turn the gears 102, 103, 110 and 111 halfway around, gears110 and 111 turning oppositely to gears 102 and 103, respectively, thus causin the respective clutch-parts 106'108 and 10 109 to assume a position under the influence of the springs 112 and 113, such that when the plunger 61 is again moved one or the other of said clutches will have its parts brought into engagement for driving the feed-drum. The result of this combination and arrangement of gears and clutches is that, no matter which way the plunger 61, with its rack 72, moves, the gears 110, 111, 114, 116 and 117 are always driven in the same direction, and that the plunger and rack must be moved far enough in either direction to carry the inoperative clutch and or less according to the amount of this excess movement of the plunger. Consequently, on the reverse movement, the plunger will travel the amount of the excess movement before the correlating clutches will come together and cause-the turning of the gears 110, 111 and 114 to be driven by it. Hence, a predetermined movement of the plunger and itsrack 72 must take place to insure the turning of the feed-drum and strip fed by it. This predetermined movement of the plunger is such as to limit the gears 110, 111 and 114 and mutilated-gear 116, to one complete revolution, to one complete reciprocation of the plunger and its rack 72' and one-half of a revolution of the feed-'v drum, no matter how far the rackv 72 may be driven; nor will a successive revolution of these gears take place until the predetertion occurs.

mined movement is. given the plunger. Furthermore, should either of the gears'110', 111, 114 and 116 be. turned by hand, or means turned only until the other cooperating clutches comeinto engagement, which would be turning theseparts back to their starting point. Excess movement 7 of the plunger results in lost motion'o'r dwell at.

whichever end of the stroke the excess mo- Thus, by making the excess motion greater at one end than the other, or. if both end s'of the'plunger have an 'excess. stroke, the greater the dwell will be.

. Hence, it can be readily understood that the positioning can be made of the rack 72. and the gears 102 and 103, relative to each other and to the clutches 106 and 107, to give more or less dwell at one end ofthe plungers stroke than at the other, which,together other than the rack 72, the opposite way from that inwhich they are being driven by the plungerv and rack 72, they, could be with the peculiar construction and co6peration of mutilated-gear 116 with that of mutilated-gear 117, enables the amount of dwell, before or after feeding the stamp preparatory to cutting or moistening it, tobe varied in the assembling to suit desired conditions; also, that one set of coiiperating clutches, as 106108, are a check againstclutches 107-109 and their respectiv gears being turned in an opposite direction beyond a portion of the length of a single stamp, aside from-the limit provided by the construction and cooperatio'n'of the mu- I tilated-gears, which control the stam -feeding drum; also, the combination 0 gears 102, 10,3, 110 and 111, and clutches forming part of them, permits of one-half of the stroke of the plunger 61 to drive the feedingdrum the desired distance that wouldbe required if only gears 102 and 110, or 103 and 111 were used, for the reason that one set does part of the required work when the plunger is going one wayand the other set the remaining portion of the work when the plunger is going the opposite way. Moreover, the plunger must be driven its full stroke in order that theclutches, which feed in the opposite direction, may become engaged. Otherwise, no feeding will take place. The feed-drum shown is the length or width, according to the way it may be desirable to feed thestamps, of two stamps -in circumference and, as the up-and-down movement of the plunger gives the mutilated-gear 119 one complete revolution, it is evident that it takes two complete reciprocations of the plunger and, consequently, two revolutions of gear 119 and intermediate gears to turn the feed-drum once around; and thatwhatever the relative position of all other parts may be when the smooth or convex portion 122 Of'gear 119 is coiiperating with the concave portion 121 of muti- .proper relations of intermediate parts for advancing the feed. I prefer to cause ahalf feed-movement of the feed-drum for every stroke of the plunger for the reason that the stamp thereby is .never wholly projected beyond the face plate until desired for use. A downward stroke of the plunger completes the feed-movement and simultaneously sev ers the stamp from the web, sprays and puts nozzle 46, the aperture 43 moves into registry with'the tube 26. During this operation, the air, dr Wn into the chamber surrounding the plung r 61 isforced by the valve 71 into the passage 58, and thence into the tube 29, and thence into the valve 24, and, since this valve has been set for operation, the air passes through the passage 28 into the reservoir to fillthespace above the liquid and also through the aperture 25 into the tube 26, to thus force air into the chamber of the it in place. Hence, itbein understood that valve 35 and drive the liquid therein through the first portion ofthe eed-movement is produced on the up-stroke of the plunger \2 and the last portion of the feed-movement is on the down-stroke of the plunger, and

.though on the up-stroke of the plunger the stamp is thus left half protruding through v 20 the face-plate, a succeeding stamp cannot be removed without tearing or mutilating it. I wish it understood that in combinationwith a common counting device operated by an extension to the feed-drum, previously referred to as being part of another application, itwould be practically impossible to obtain any stamps from this machine without recording the same or mutilating them so as to makethem valueless. While the foregoing feeding operations are being accomplished, the measuring-device is being operated to take up and deliver a predetermined quantity of liquid'to the surface of the stampprojecting through the faceplate and just prior to its being aihxed; This is accomplished by the rotation of the valve 3-5, caused by the bell-crank lever, to which vibratory movement is imparted by the pin 79, projecting from one side of the'cutterhead 74. The upward incline given to the slot 40, in the long arm of the bell-crank lever, is for the'purpose of accelerating the movement of the valve in a short stroke of the lever and permitting some lost motion between the pin 79 and thearm after the valve has been sufficiently moved to deliver the liquid. A limitation is imposed upon the valve-movement in both directions by the projecting-lugs 41, which engage the smooth surface of the segmental portion of the bellcrank lever, it being understood that When one of the lugs 41 engages one or the other end of said segmental portion, the movement of the valve in that direction will cease. By thus oscillating the valve, the aperture 42 is moved from its position of registry with the passa e 45 leading into the reservoir and through which passage liquid passes into the valve-chamber. The aperture 42 is caused in its movement to register with the passage throughthespraying-nozzle 46,so that, under the proper conditions, the liquid may be sprayed onto the surface ofthe stamp. ,As the aperture 42 passes from its position of registry with the passage 45, to its position the aperture 42 and through the nozzle 46 to spray the same upon the surface of the stamp. The groove 7 3, in the plunger, performs an important function in the operation of the machine, since, without the same, the air in the chamber of the handle might become so compressed as to render it difiicult to quickly and easily depress the plunger, By forming the groove 73, as shown, before any perceptible retardation in the downward movement of the plunger can take place, the lower end of said groove will have passed the lower portion a of the frame, ltohus relieving pressure in the handle-chamer. of the plunger will cause air to be drawn into the handle-chamber through said groove 73.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that Furthermore, the upward movement the sequence of operation is to draw in air through the suction passages 70 and 7 3 into the compression-chamber on the up-stroke of theplunger. This same movement accomplishes one-half of the feeding operation of the .stamp and returns the cutterblade to a normal, inoperative position. At the same time, the valve 35 is turned so that the spraying-nozzle ceases to operate and the said valve may receive from the reservoir, under air pressure, a predetermined quantity of liquid. The down-stroke of the plunger forces the air against the valve 71, closing the ports 70, forces the air through the various passages and tubes, turns the valve35 for coiiperation with the sprayingnozzle, completes the feed-movement of the feed-drum and the cutting-movement of the cutter-blade. Simultaneously with these operations, the surface of the stamp is sprayed with liquid and the stamp is pressed by the fiat bottom surface of the cutter-head firmly upon the article to which it is applied. The pressure of the cutter-head upon the stamp causes the liquid to spread in all directions so that every portion of the applied surface thereof is moistened. Hence, it is not essential that the spray should be applied directly to the entire surface of the stamp. Preliminary adjustments of the feeding-drum upon its axis or shaft 118 can be accomplished without disturbing the relation of the mutilated-gears 116 and 117, by pulling out the detent-pin 135 to remove its wedge 136 from engagement with the segmental-ratchet 132.

This may be necessary for the purpose of preliminarily setting the stamp preparatory to feeding the same; that is to say, if in threading the device with the web too much or too little of the web is projected through the slot of the base-plate. This provides against waste of any of the stamps. This adjustment is accomplished within the lim its of themovement of the pawl 134 prescribed by the engagement of its in 137 with either one or the other of the at surfaces at opposite extremes of. the ratchetsegment 132, this adjustment being less than the length of.the stamp. Adjustment of the feed-drum may be produced by turning the screw 145 in the end of the adjusting-sleeve 144 to cause its beveled flanges to cooperate with the beveled flanges of the feed-drum,

movement of said sleeve in one direction or the other causing the expansion or contraction of the flexible members of the said drum to increase or decrease the diameter thereof. This adjustment is for the purpose of causing the feed-drum, for each com plete reciprocation of the plunger 61, to be just enough to feed the stamp its full length or from division to division between stamps. This adjustment of the drum being accomplishedand the stamp being properly set as described absolutely accurate feeding "of the web is accomplished indefinitely the full length of a stamp for each reciprocation of the plunger. upon the surface of the stamp .is regulated by the adjustment of the plug 44 in the end of the valve 35, so as to increase or decrease the size of the chamber of said valve. By

turning the valve 24, so as to close the opening into the reservoir, whatever the posi tion of valve 35 may be, the liquid in the reservoir will be so confined that no leakage or drip will occur. Consequently, there is no liability of a stamp, a portion of which may be projecting from the face-plate, be coming moistened, except When desired, through operation of the plunger. The liquid being thus shut off, the machine can be inspected, readjusted, turned upside down, or manipulated in any manner without having the liquid leak or spill from the reservoir. When the liquid is thus shut off, or

-when the reservoir is empty, the machine can be used for vending stamps or other suitable articles.

As previously pointed out,-one of the important features of my invention resides in the mode of moistening the surface of the stamps and in connection with the mechanism thereof I desire it distinctly understood that my invention comprehends the broad idea, of means of spraying the water or liquid upon the stamp or article to which it is to be attached and also the broad idea The amount of liquid sprayed means of operating the spraying-device by a plunger, whether that plunger be a column of air or a mechanical device. To illustrate the breadth and scope of this portion of my invention, reference is made to Fig. 9, showmg an alternative form of my invention and wherein the valve is constructed in substan tially the same manner as described with reference to Fig. ,2, but is threaded into the.

reservoir by fine screw-threads 156 of low pitch and has at its outer end two projecting-lugs 157, afiording a space between them Y within which operates a fixed pin 158, set in the frame of the reservoir. limits the oscillatory movement ofthe valve- .8 This pin sleeve and thus prevents it from being moved in either longitudinal direction farther than the limits prescribed by the distance between the lugs. A piston, the head 159' of which is smooth, isthreaded into the valve-cham-f screw-plug 162 is adjustable in the valvechamber to vary the size thereofand regulate the amount of Water it may contain.

Reciprocation of the plunger 61, actuating the bell-crank lever, will causevits segment. 39 to oscillate the piston; but, owing to the coarse-thread connection between it and the valve, the latter is first rotated to cause its longltudlnal movement in the valve chamber and thus bring the aperture 42 into" I This; registry being produced, the movement of registry with the spraying-device."

the valve ceases and the further rotation of the piston causes it to move endwise in the valve-chamber and thus create pressure upon the body of water therein to force the same through the aperture into the spraying-nozzle and therefromupon the surface of the stamp. Thus it will be seen that variations and alternative constructions are clearly within the broad idea of means of'my invention, as above pointed out.

Among the other features upon which I have laid stress, I consider the feeding-pins 154s and the general construction and arrangement of my feeding mechanism as im' portant, since the pins not only act to insure a positive feeding of the strip of stamps, but also prevent the strip frombeing pulled through or out of the machine by hand, unless torn or mutilated, which, in combination with the drum-operating mechanism and its peculiar construction and arrangement of. parts, act as a stop or check on the Though I have emphasized the moistening liquid as being applied to the stamp, it isclearly evident that, by turning the spraying-nozzle 46-47 so as to direct the spray down, the object to which the stamp is to be affixed will be moistened instead and that pressing the stamp on the moistened surface by the plunger the same result will be attained as when the spray is driven up against the stamp. Therefore, I wish it to be understood that I claim both ways as be ing broadly within the scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A machine having, in combination, a-

receptacle having means for supporting a rotating web of articles; means'for delivering articles from said receptacle comprising a reciprocating rack-bar, a rotary feedwheel, and gearing connecting thebar and wheel; cutting means for severing the articles at the completion of the operation of the delivering means; and means for spraying liquid directly upon the article to be delivered from the machine for the purpose of afiixing said article to another.

2. A machine having, in combination, a reciprocatory plunger; a receptacle, having means for supporting a rotating web of articles, arranged in rear of said plunger; feeding mechanism arranged between the plunger and receptacle; cutting mechanism; connections between the plunger and cutter and feeding mechanism for actuating the same; and moistening mechanism movable relatively to the receptacle and located directly below the same and in rear of and remote from the feeding mechanism.

3. A machine having, in combination, a receptacle having means for supporting a rotating Web of articles; means for delivering the articles intermittently from said machine, comprising a reciprocating rack-bar, a feed-wheel, and gearing connecting the bar and wheel; means for cutting the articles from the web at the end of each complete delivery operation; and means for pro jecting moisture directly upon the article to be delivered prior to its being affixed.

4. A machine having, in combination, means for intermittently feeding articles from a web;'means for cutting the articles from the web one-by-one; means for applying liquid to the surface of the articles; and means for applying the articles to a given surface; the said liquid applying means including an intermittently-operated measuring valve for delivering a predetermined amount of liquid to be applied.

5. A machine having, in combination, means for feeding articles from a web; means for cutting the articles from said web; and moistening means for applying liquid to I combination,

ger; means in said receptacle for supporting said reel; feeding mechanism arranged between the plunger and receptacle and 00- operating with said plunger; moistening means, arranged below the receptacle and ceding means and also in rear of the latter; and means actuated by the plunger for causing the moistening means to project-liquid upon the stamp.

7. A stamp-affixing machine having, in combination, a cutter; means for actuating the same; means for delivering stamps to the cutter; .a liquid reservoir beneath said delivery means; and means for spraying the, liquid directly upon the stamp beyond the cutting position.

8. A stamp-aflixing machine including a reciprocating cutter; a feeding mechanism; a spraying means including a spraying nozzle extending to position to spray a stamp after it has passed the cutter; and means for actuating the several parts including a connection between the cutter-actuating means andv feeding means; and means controlled by the cutter-actuating means for operating the spraying means to direct the sprayed liquid upon the stamps just before being cut off.

' 9. A stamp-aflixing means having, in, combination, a stamp receptacle having means upon which a stamp-reel may be journaled, a reciprocatory plunger carrying at one end a cutting device; a feeding mechanism including a rotary drum arranged at one side of the cutting device and below the said receptacle; a moistening means arranged below the feeding device and remote from the'point of delivery of the stamp and having a spraying-device extending to position to spray a stamp after it has passed the cutting-device; and means for actuating the several parts to feed a stamp to the cutting mechanism and for spraying liquid directly upon the stamp to enable the latter to be afiixed to an article.

10. A stamp-aiiixing machine having, in combination, a stamp feeding means; a stamp-cutting means; a spraying nozzle ex tending to position tospray a stamp after it has passed the cutting means and directed toward the stamp to be delivered; and means for driving liquid through said nozzle.

11. A stamp-aflixing machine having, in a stamp feeding means; a stamp-cutting means; and stamp-moistening means, the moistening means being provided with a measuring device, an upwardly inclined spraying "device; and having means for intermittently operating the measuring device. f '12. A stamp-aflixing machine having, in combination, a receptacle for stamps provided with a movable cover; a moistening device, for applying liquid to the stamps, movable into inoperative position; and the moistening device and the said cover having cooperating means for locking the cover when the moistening means is m an operative'position. 13. A stamp-afiixing machine having, in

combination, a receptacle for stamps includ ing a movable cover; a moistemng-device movable into moperatwe pos1t1on; the cover and the dev ce havmg cooperatm means whereby one ma lock the other, sald means performingits unctions as one of the parts 1s moved into operative. position; and means for locking the said movable part in its operative position. Y v 14. A moistening device for stamp-affixing machines having, in combination, a reservoir for the liquid; an oscillatin valve for controlling the amount of liquid to be.

delivered from the reservoir; mechanical means for oscillating said valve; and means adapted to' create pressure in the reservoir for acting u on the liquid to drive the same through an from said controlling valve.

15. A moistening-device for stamp-affixin machines comprising a reservoir for the liquid; an oscillatingmeasuring device for measurin a definite quantity of the .liquid for de ivery' from the reservoir; a

. sprayingnozzle for cooperating with said measuring-device; means for oscillating said measuring-device, and means for driving the liquid through the measuring device and the nozzle.

16. A moistening device for stamp-af-- fixing machines comprising a reservoir; a liquid outlet at the bottom of Sand reservoir; a valve located in Sflld' reservoir 1n cooperative relation to the liquid outlet to control the outlet of the liquid; pneumatic means for ejecting the liquid from the reservoir through the valve; and means for intermit tently actuating the valve and for similarly controllingjthe pneumatic means.

17. A moistening-device for stamp-aflixing. machines comprising a reservoir; a liquid-inlet at the top thereof; a liquid-outlet at the bottom thereof; means for controlling the liquid-outlet; a movable air-inlet at the top of the reservoir; a passage therefrom to the reservoir; and" a tube connectin the air-inlet with the liquid-outlet.

18. moistening-device for stamp-afiixing machines comprising a. reservoir having in its bottom a liquid-outlet; an oscillating measuring-device controlling the liquid outlet; and means extending through the reservoir from-its-top to themeasuring-device for forcing the liquid from the latter.

19. A moistening device for stamp-aiiix ing machines comprlsing .a reservoir having a forward extension at its bottom and a liquid-outlet in said extension; an a1r- 1n1et at the top of said reservoir; and an osclllatmg of the latter for controlling the alr-lnlet.

valve housed in said reservoir at the top 20. A moistening-device for stamp-afiix 1 ing machines comprising areservoir having a forward extensionat its bottom; a liquidoutlet in said extension of said reservoir; an osolllating measurlng-devme' for controlllng said liquid-outlet; a spraying nozzle fixed in said outlet and cooperating with said measuring-device; and means for driving the liquid from said measuring-device through said nozzle 21. A stamp-affixing machine having, in

combination, a cutting mechanism; a feeding mechanism; a face-plate interposed between the feeding mechanism and the cut-- ting mechanism and carrying a part of the cutting mechanism; a stripper-plateinterposed between the face-plate and the feeding mechanism and cooperating with the latwhich the stamps may be affixed; and means for actuating the cutting and feeding mechanlsms.

22. A stamp-affixing machine having, in combination, a cutting. mechanism;a feeding mechanism; a face-plate interposed between 5 said mechanisms; a strip-guide cooperating with the feeding mechanism; a

ter tostrip the stamps therefrom; means by I ion stripper-plate cooperating with the strip- 7 guide and the feeding mechanism; means by WhlCll the stamps may be afiixed; and means for actuatlng the cutting and feeding mechanisms.

.25. A machine having, in combination,

means for intermittently feeding articlesv from a web; means for cutting articles from the web one-by-one; means for supplying liquid so .as to attach thearticles to an obj ect; and means for applying the articles to an object; the said liquid-supplying means including an intermittently-operated measuring valve for measuring the amount of liquid to be supplied into the valve.

26. A moistening-device for stamp-aflixing machines comprising a reservoir; a liquid-outlet therefrom; means for controlling the liquid-outlet including a delivery valve; and means for applying air pressure to the liquid in the reservoir for the purposeof driving the li uid from the reservoir.

27. A stamp-a Xing machine having, in combination with the frame thereof, a feeding-drum for delivering stamps; a reservoir hinged to the frame; a strip-guide carried by the reservoir and having slots therein, the said feeding-drum being provided with radial pins for entering the slots of the strip-guide.

28. The combination of a receptacle for gummed articles, feeding and affixing means for said articles, a liquid reservoir, and air compression means and liquid feeding means controlled by the feeding means so that the compression of air will cooperate with the moisture feeding means and cause the liquid controlled thereby to be sprayed upon the articles to be aflixed. 29. In a stamp-aflixer, the combination with a frame and an aflixing member movable into and out of aflixing position, of a liquid receptacle having a'discharge chamber provided with an orifice leading therefrom, a device movable in said chamber, and means actuated by the. alfixing member for operating said device to eject moisture directly upon the stamp.

30. In a stamp-afiixer, the combination with a frame and an aflixing member movable into and out of aflixing position, of a liquid receptacle provided with a discharge orifice, a wall forming a chamber in the receptacle into. which the orifice leads, a device located in the chamber and means actuated by the aflixing member for operating said device to expel liquid from said chamber directly upon the stamp.

31. A stamp-aflixer having in combination with the frame thereof, a reciprocatory affixing member, a liquid receptacle provided with a discharge orifice, a chamber adjacent said receptacle and communicating with the latter by said discharge orifice, a device operating in the chamber under control of the afiixing member, and means for discharging liquid from the chamber through said'device upon the stamp.

32. In a stamp-aflixer, the combination with a frame and an aflixing member movable into and out of afiixin position, of a liquid receptacle having a discharge chamber therein and provided with an orifice leading from said chamber, a device reciprocating in the latter, and means actuated by the aflixing member for operating said device.

33. In a stamp-affixer, the combination with a frame and an affixing member movable into and out of aflixing position, of a liquid receptacle provided with a discharge orifice located near the bottom of the side wall of the receptacle, a partition wall arranged in the receptacle near the bottom of the latter to separate a portion of the liquid in the vicinity of the orifice from the main body of the liquid, a device movable relatively to the side wall of the receptacle between the bottom of the latter and said partition wall, and means actuated by the affixing member for operating the device.

34. In a stamp -aflixer, the combination with a frame, a reci rocating affixing member, and stamp fee ing mechanism, means for holding a strip of stamps, a stamp guideway leading therefrom, said guide-way being capable of displacement on the frame to permit access to the interior of the holding means, and a lock for retaining said parts in operative position on the frame.

35. A stamp aflixing machine comprising, a stamp aflixing plunger, means operated by the stamp aflixing plunger for feedmg one stamp of the strip into an aflixmg positlon, means for severing and afiixing the stamp, and means operated by the stamp ailixing plunger for causing the ejection of moisture onto the under surface of the said stamp after said stamp has passed through the severing device and as it moves into the aflixing position. v

36. A moistening device for stamp aflixing machines having in combination a reservoir for the liquid; a valve for controlling the amount of liquid to be delivered from the reservoir; means for actuating said valve; said valve being provided with oppositely disposed apertures through which the liquid may enter and be ejected; and means adapted to create pressure in the reservoir for acting upon the liquid to drive the same through and from the apertures in said valve.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

M. E.. H1LL00K, M. HERSKOVITZ. 

